COLD-BLOODED BULLETS 2 shot dead by off-duty police; incident gains attention online

A morbid news woke netizens as #JusticeforSonyaGregorio, #EndPolicebrutality, and #PulisAngTerorista plagued twitter making it a trending topic in the Philippines and Singapore today, December 21. The trending topic was associated by a five-minute video where an off-duty police officer, Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, 46, shot his neighbor dead.

The victims were Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son, Frank Anthony Gregorio, 25. The incident happened in broad daylight over an argument in front of a small crowd in Paniqui town, Tarlac Province. According to initial media reports, the situation began after Frank set off an air cannon made out of a PVC pipe (boga) at around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday that have created loud noises.

"Pumunta doon para i-confront sila then naungkat na ang usapin sa right of way, hanggang napunta sa insidente na iyon. Parang na-trigger ang galit ng suspek nang magkasagutan iyong anak niya at ang biktimang matanda," Police Lieutenant Colonel Noriel Rombaoa told DZBB in a phone interview.

In the video, the policeman was seen with his young daughter in a heated discussion with the unarmed Frank, whose mother was holding him back. Meanwhile, Nuezca’s daughter exclaimed with rage “my father is a policeman,” to which Sonya replied with a song that means she doesn't care.

Enraged, Nuezca threatened to kill Sonya before shooting her in the head but then proceeded to shoot Frank Anthony twice, before firing at her mother once again who was already sprawled on the ground.

Nuezca fled the scene after the incident but surrendered hours later. He is now facing two murder charges as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured a thorough, impartial, and swift investigation – no bail was recommended by PNP Region 3 Chief BGen, Val de Leon.

MALACAÑANG'S STAND

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is confident Nuezca will not get away this time due to the strong evidence [video] after facing six cases over his last 10 years in service for grave misconduct, serious neglect of duty, refusal to undergo drug test, an administrative case, and suspension – two homicide cases filed against him last 2019 were both dismissed due to lack of substantial evidence.

Roque added that President Duterte who has always vowed to support the police will not protect Nuezca because the crime took place while he was off-duty.

"Ito ay tatratuhing ordinaryong murder cases at iimbestigahan, kakasuhan, lilitisin, at mapaparusahan po natin iyang pulis na iyan. No ifs, no buts. Magkakaroon po ng katarungan dahil nakita naman natin ang ebidensya ng pangyayari. Hindi po iyan poprotektahan ng Presidente." Roque said in a briefing.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned the senseless killing perpetuated by state forces who are supposed to protect the public.

THE VOICES ONLINE

Some politicians, celebrities, and social media influencers demanded accountability and justice for the victims online including former police chief, Senator Panfilo Lacson, who said that the PNP should show no mercy.

"They should spare no effort to make sure that he rots in jail. He's the last policeman that they need in the force," he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Drilon shared the same sentiment saying that the incident is “pure evil”.

"This is pure evil. That devil who committed an evil act in front of his own daughter deserves to rot in jail," Drilon said.

He added that so long as the culture of impunity exists in the country, and when there is a system that rewards misdeed instead of punishing them, police abuses and violence will continue – “impunity breeds trigger-happy cops”.

The unkaboggable star Vice Ganda, on the other hand, was suddenly reminded of a dark past after watching the video.

“Bumalik lahat ng pilit ko ng ibinabaon na alaala. Ung putok ng baril. Ung itsura nung tatay ko na parang baboy na sinasakay sa jeep. Ung mukha ng demonyo. Ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko. Sana’y wag silang magaya sa Tatay ko na di nabigyan ng hustisya. Sana’y wag silang magaya sa pamilya namin na namanhid na lng sa tagal ng paghihintay ng katarungan. Sana wala ng makaranas ng kasamaang ito.” Vice wrote on Twitter.

Photo from CNN Philippines